BTS donates equipment to Mazama’s shop program

Basin Transit Service mechanics Brenden Westfall, left, and Dave Moser, right, with Mazama High School automotive teacher Steve Walker after donating a fork lift and air compressor to the high school’s shop programs. (submitted photo)

Article by Marcia Schlottman, pubic relations specialist, KCSD.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Basin Transit Service last week donated a forklift and an air compressor to Mazama High School for use in its automotive and shop programs.

BTS mechanics Dave Moser and Brenden Westfall helped deliver the equipment to the school, meeting with Mazama automotive teacher Steve Walker. Both mechanics were involved in auto shop programs in high school before going on to further their skills and enter the trade. Moser is a Mazama graduate and Westfall graduated from Klamath Union.

BTS and its Board of Directors made the donation as part of an initiative to enhance the livability of the community and foster opportunities for youth learning skills in trade.

Walker, who teaches four levels of automotive classes including dual credit courses through KCC, welcomed the donations, saying they will allow more students access to hands-on learning opportunities. Currently, upwards of 200 students participate in automotive classes.

“BTS could have easily sold these items, but they wanted to help the program,” Walker said. “These are functional items that also will be a benefit to the school.”

Mazama’s automotive program relies on donations – students are currently working on a donated Ford Taurus and a Dodge pickup. An ongoing project is a kit car – a 1927 Ford T-Bucket.